08 Jun keeping occupied
I know that the summer months bring mixed reviews for moms. While some moms have been waiting eagerly for long sunny clean slate kind of day and the freedom from imposed school schedule, other moms dread it. For the most part, I’d be the latter.
The last week or so I have been feeling impending summer creeping up behind me; stalking me, taunting me. You’d better get as much as you can done now, it calls from just outside my periphery. It’s like an old Twilight Zone movie. You see, I love structure in my days. I love predictability. I love my time.
So I begin to visualize strategies on how to make this summer work so that it’s a pleasure for all of us. Keeping the kids busy (and happy) on a budget, building in work time for myself (at all costs) and time to just be. Together. Alone. A little of both.
My Best Shot today (which is also my belated SOOC shot) is one of those shots that reminds me that it’s not all bad being home, hanging out, just doing whatever we feel like. With all of my heart today, I hope that wishing for a summer that works for all of us isn’t too tall an order.
What are you cooking up this week for your Best Shot Monday?
Susiej
Posted at 14:55h, 08 JuneTracey, I was thinking the same thing… what am I going to do? So, we cooked up some scented stones. How ironic that we always head to the kitchen when we’re looking for a way to find our grounding.
Making Scented Stones
Christina
Posted at 14:57h, 08 JuneSOOC and best all at once – that’s one heck of a shot, Tracey! Love the natural moment this captures. I am mostly looking forward to summer days…mostly. 😉 One of the best things about keeping busy is that it wears them out!
Amy Jo
Posted at 15:07h, 08 JuneMy kids are little, so summer is just like the rest of the year, really. Except that this year my 3 year old will be doing some little camps here and there. I just try and enjoy it while I can, because I know one day they’ll dread going to the pool with their mother!
I bet your girls love spending time with you, and cooking with kids can be so much fun! The next time we do so I’ll have to remember to keep the camera nearby!
My best shot was discovered when I just sat down and observed the tiny world around me!
phyllis
Posted at 15:09h, 08 Junei like a little bit of structure too….dropped the kids off at a small camp for the week…otherwise they just sit around on the table all day
🙂 hang in there!
Jessi
Posted at 15:10h, 08 JuneReally really fantastic shot. It came SOOC beautifully. I also always love to hear people enjoying their lives 🙂
megan
Posted at 15:10h, 08 Junethe joy of summer for me is that it is so full of possibility. i never get all the things done with the kids that i envision, but it’s always fun to explore the possibles :).
we have one more week of school (and baseball) here:
baseball blues
Jen
Posted at 15:12h, 08 JuneYou are so great at capturing every day moments. Keeping the kids busy is key at our house too.
Mine is SOOC too:
Shine
Chris
Posted at 15:14h, 08 JuneYou are so definitely NOT alone in this. lol. I’m feeling excited on one hand, dreading it on another. I love ME time but I’m glad to just have time with my boys, too. Especially since I’m thinking this may be the last summer that my 12, almost 13 yr. old won’t mind hanging out with mom. lol. Me? I’m just wishing…for everything…http://everydayheartbeats.com/2009/06/08/wishing/
Linda
Posted at 15:19h, 08 JuneMy best shot has a summer theme too.
Splash
Susan M
Posted at 15:26h, 08 JuneI’m an introvert and I need time alone or I start to go crazy. My daughter just graduated high school, I only have one kid left in school (my oldest son graduated last year)—I’m never getting time alone again! ARGH. Although my husband is good about taking the kids away for a weekend every now and then. It’s like heaven, a couple days alone. I end up staying up all night just to make the most of it. Ha.
Lis
Posted at 15:34h, 08 JuneHere is my SOCC contribution for summertime activities: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7724232@N03/3605125101/in/photostream/
I love watching little hands keep busy. We have our art journals and when all else fails, we pull them out and paint or collage or draw.
IE Mommy
Posted at 16:06h, 08 JuneLove the photo! Great shot.. Check out MY Best Shot Monday at The IE Mommy http://iemommy.wordpress.com/2009/06/08/my-best-shot-monday/
Davielle Huffman
Posted at 16:15h, 08 JuneTracey, that’s a most charming photo. Love it. And remember, when that one day hits where you don’t know what to do with the kids and you need something easy to solve the problem … you can always resort to pre-made COOKIE DOUGH and let the kids have at it – they can roll out the sugar variety and use cookie cutters for bonus points. 🙂 AND my BSM today involves … a child (in statue form) in a garden (the other place we find ourselves when summer arrives …). HAPPY WEEK to everyone. — Davielle
Thea
Posted at 16:19h, 08 JuneI am so with you.
The idea of taking another photo today with all I already have to edit makes me want to cry. Thanks for sharing this summer fun photo. I love it!
Joanna
Posted at 17:33h, 08 JuneGreat lighting on this shot Tracey. So natural and candid.
To just be……..I long for that most of the time as well!
Here’s my BSM
Meg
Posted at 17:56h, 08 JuneIt’s funny, being a SAHM with two little ones, I am unable to relate to this. Since my kids don’t go to school, my time is always dictated by them. The only "me" time I get is naptime. I guess I can relate in the sense that when they don’t nap I get a little defensive about the lost "me" time.
Hm… speaking of naptime, I better go – I’ve only got an hour to do whatever I want!!
Donna Kirk
Posted at 18:14h, 08 Junecute shot and hanging around the house and in the kitchen is a pasttime for most of us….summer is really not upon us yet here in southwest Saskatchewan and neither is spring, rainy and very cool. I like the aprons on the girls. Fun!
Heather
Posted at 18:23h, 08 Juneaprons + kitchen is one of my favorite ways to stay occupied—love this shot!
I’m generally frustrated w/ my shots these days, but can’t pass up my own Mr. Messy. for BSM!
Maggie
Posted at 18:56h, 08 JuneThe girls are getting so big…and so tall! I’m crossing my fingers that ALL of you have an enjoyable summer!
My BSM is about one of my very favorite things (besides summer vacation) Disney World!
Lee
Posted at 20:14h, 08 JuneGlad to know I’m not the only mum trying to strike a balance. Making summer holidays worthy of my children and their memories without being pulled in four different directions myself. I even compounded the potential for disaster this year by scaling back on summer camps so we can spend more time together and let them just be. Find their own entertainment – like we used to in the "old" days (okay, I’ll speak for myself!) Maybe if I let them be, I might have some time to just be. Well, it’s a plan at any rate 😉
Love your shot. The lighting is wonderful. I just posted my very first Best Shot Monday on my blog.
carrie
Posted at 20:26h, 08 Junewow – a BSM and a SOOC…and it is perfect! the lighting in your photos always makes me sigh – you just have an amazing ability to create a mood with every single photo.
and i’m so with you on the balance of summer. i’m working on some "summer school at home" planning today. in my new inspired space!
My Two Seasons
Posted at 20:41h, 08 JuneWow! That is such an awesome shot, and SOOC on top! Wow!
I just found your blog and thought I’d play along today! Here is my best shot today: http://mytwoseasons.com/2009/06/08/my-best-shot/
Lorna Harris
Posted at 21:05h, 08 JuneI feel exactly the same, looking forward to a break in routine and more time to do fun things. But dreading the need for balance and finding time to work.
Our summer will be spent on the beach, in various forms of transport:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lornaharris/3391739316/?editreplace=1
thanks!
Puna
Posted at 22:38h, 08 JuneI’m of the former, I am really looking forward to summer…unfortunately, it’s filling up fast! I hope to spend some time with my camera, shooting whatever comes into view. Here is some wildlife.
Osprey
Berta
Posted at 23:52h, 08 JuneMy kids are all grown now and I miss the ‘summer noise’ and all the other fun stuff that comes with having kids home! Soak in all those wonderful memories – I did and now I play them back in my head every summer. It will be gone before you know it! Love your picture.
PS. The neighbor kids help supply the NOISE I need these days ! ! ! !
MarriedToTheArmy
Posted at 00:49h, 09 JuneHere is my BSM Post. It is a picture of my newborn enjoying a few peaceful moments in his crib. Or maybe I am enjoying a few peaceful moments while he was in his crib. Same thing. LOL</p>
Hayley
Posted at 01:15h, 09 JuneMy best shot offers wishes for our summer as well. I adore your photo and I hope to read about many wonderful summer activities (both fun and relaxing) for you and yours!
Julie
Posted at 01:29h, 09 JuneLove the picture! Here’s my Best Shot:
http://acelebrationofourjourney.squarespace.com/journal/2009/6/8/best-shot-monday.html
melody
Posted at 07:39h, 09 JuneFortunately, or unfortunately as the case may be, as a homeschooling family we don’t deal with this dilemma. Well, there’s always the question of how to have me time and work time and sane time with the boys constantly around. But, life is a tightrope walk, right?
Love the perspective and color of this one.
golightly
Posted at 07:01h, 10 JuneI missed SOOC and BSM, but I love your image. Those sweet moments in life. Works for me.